WHO declares mpox, caused by monkeypox virus, a global emergency: What you need to know
The World Health Organization has declared mpox, an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a global health emergency following a surge of cases in Africa, officials announced Wednesday.
The declaration follows mpox outbreaks in 13 African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Central African Republic and other nations.
It’s the second time in two years the WHO has issued an emergency for the mpox virus. New forms of the virus, known as clade I and cladeIb, appear to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact, Reuters reported.
More than 17,000 cases have been reported across Africa in 2024, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s a significant increase of the 14,957 cases in 2023 and 7,146 cases in 2022.
Africa CDC has reported 500 deaths and asked for international medical help.
Mpox surges in African nations
The alert, known as a public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, is the highest level of alarm under international health law, WHO says.
The potential for further spread in Africa is worrying, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general.